They started off in 1964, founded by John "Mouse" Michalski and Kenn Ellner, two high school friends who had previously played in several short-lived outfits. After going shortly under the name of The Squires and several line-up changes later, the Count Five were born, with Roy Chaney taking over vocal duties, Irish-born John "Sean" Byrne on rhythm guitar and Craig "Butch" Atkinson on drums.
Almost from the start, they had a trademark song with "Psychotic Reaction" which was to become their one and only top-10 hit ever. The song was initially devised by Byrne, with the group refining it over the next time and turning it into the highlight of their live sets. Regarded from today's point of view, "Psychotic Reaction" is now a bonafide garage-rock classic, unashamedly borrowing on the style of contemporary bands and artists like The Standells and The Yardbirds.
Looking for a contract, the band found themselves rejected by several record companies before they finally got signed to the Los Angeles-based Double Shot Records. "Psychotic Reaction" was released as a single and found immediate popularity with the proto-punk movement that started in these days, peaking at #5 in the U.S. charts late 1966. The Count Five also gained some fair publicity for their habit of wearing Dracula-style capes when playing live. However, subsequent issues sold disappointingly. The band got along for about another year but dropped out of view altogether when their one and only hit had fallen from public memory. Another setback to a potential career in music business was the decision of the five members (the age of whom, at the time of their '15 minutes of fame', still ranged between 17 and 19 years) to pursue a college degree.
By 1969, the Count Five were history. Even after many had dismissed them as a one hit wonder, the band had one major supporter, legendary music critic Lester Bangs, who loved the single "Psychotic Reation" and wrote a famous essay called "Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung" about an alternate universe where the Count Five made four more albums to lukewarm sales but critical acclaim. The essay's name was used for a posthumous collection of Bangs' writings in 1987.
Pretty Big Mouth
The Count Five Lyrics
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I met a pretty pretty woman with a real big mouth
I'm gonna make that big mouthed woman my wife
I'm gonna love that woman for the rest of my life
I'll marry her and I'll feel fine
I'll feel fine when I make her mine
I'll feel fine when I make her mine
I took a trip up north and one back west
I went to the east to find the best
Oh but I ended up in the deep deep south
Making love to the woman with the big big mouth
The Count Five's song "Pretty Big Mouth" is a classic garage rock tune with a catchy riff and lyrics that tell the story of a man who falls in love with a woman with a "real big mouth." The song hints at a Southern Gothic vibe, with the singer being from the deep south and encountering this woman there. However, it's the irony of the situation that makes the song stand out; the man finds himself falling for a woman who is quite vocal and outspoken, and he plans to marry her despite her reputation.
The line "I'm gonna make that big mouthed woman my wife" is particularly interesting because it shows the man isn't bothered by her outspokenness. Instead, he welcomes it and sees it as a desirable attribute. He then repeats the line "I'll marry her and I'll feel fine / I'll feel fine when I make her mine" to emphasize his confidence in his decision to marry her.
The chorus reinforces this sentiment, as the man describes traveling around the country but ultimately returns to the deep south to be with the woman he loves: "Oh but I ended up in the deep deep south / Making love to the woman with the big big mouth." The Count Five's "Pretty Big Mouth" is a fun, rock 'n' roll love song that celebrates a woman's confidence and outspokenness in a unique way.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born way down in the deep deep south
I am originally from the southern region of the United States.
I met a pretty pretty woman with a real big mouth
I came across a beautiful woman who happens to speak loudly and often.
I'm gonna make that big mouthed woman my wife
I plan to marry the woman despite, or perhaps because of, her tendency to be talkative.
I'm gonna love that woman for the rest of my life
I intend to hold affection for the woman long after our wedding and honeymoon.
I'll marry her and I'll feel fine
By marrying her, I will feel content and satisfied.
I'll feel fine when I make her mine
As I take ownership of her, I will feel fulfilled and joyful.
I took a trip up north and one back west
I journeyed to both northern and western regions of the country.
I went to the east to find the best
I explored the eastern part of America with the purpose of finding excellence.
Oh but I ended up in the deep deep south
Despite my travels, I ultimately found myself back in the southern area.
Making love to the woman with the big big mouth
I engaged in sexual activity with the woman known for her talkativeness.
Contributed by Mateo D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.